2018 Legislative Agenda

The Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing Minnesotans is pleased to announce our 2018 Legislative Agenda, which was approved by the Commission Board in January 2018. We have one bill we are introducing, one bill we are supporting and other bills we will be watching. The 2018 Legislature is facing many challenges this year, the biggest challenge is time. This session is only 58 days long with a week off for spring break.
Are you ready to learn about MNCDHH’s legislative agenda? Here it is!
Agenda Items
1) Introducing: Changes to the language in MNCDHH’s Statute (MS 256C.28). Changes are needed to make the Commission operate more efficiently, make sure we always have 15 board members, make our name easier to remember, and add duties we are currently performing.

2) Supporting: We will support the Minnesota State Council on Disabilities bill to get funds for ADA accommodations in state bonding bills so state parks and state rest stops can be made accessible.

3) Watching: We will watch elder abuse legislation and see if we can add pieces that support seniors with age related hearing loss in assisted care facilities.

4) Watching: We will continue to watch education legislation and rulemaking with the new tiered licensure and the Professional Educators Licensure and Standards Board and try to protect education for children who are deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing.
Because we only have one bill that we are introducing, we will not be sending out weekly legislative updates. Instead, we will frequently send out a mix of
1) MNCDHH legislative updates
2) more information about our work in education and employment
3) and federal topics that will have an impact on our community here in Minnesota